Festive drinks on Elidir Fawr

In an unexpected turn of events, all our imminent plans in Wales have had to be canceled, with another nationwide lockdown announced overnight. We had already binned any plans for our usual overseas festive explorations around the sunny cliffs of Europe and had been preparing for our first ever Welsh Christmas here at The Cottage. However, we did have plans for adventures a bit further afield than this over the next few weeks. 

Determined not to have our spirits dampened, we could at least set out on foot up our local peak.

Conditions were far from ideal for this sort of venture and our previous plan of an exploration of a sheltered gorge would have sheltered us much better when the hail storms whipped across the open barren hillside. But we were at least allowed to be here, so with hoods up and heads down, we pressed on upwards, snatching glimpses of the view after each squal passed through.

Since the previous lockdown, a decent sized cairn shelter has been built at the far end of the summit ridge, which offered a good bit of protection from the wind and weather.

As well as the comfort of the shelter, we were delighted to find two like-minded friends, who were willing to share a warming mug of hot chocolate.

The sunlight and storms all battled for attention and we kept getting up to see the view, blue sky and even at one point, a brocken spectre!

In return for the Hot Chocolate generosity, we shared the morsel of fine cheddar cheese that we had been carrying.

Which made an excellent accompaniment to the fifteen-year-old bottle of Taylors Port that I also happened to have stashed in my rucksack. Both were delightfully warming and the source of some good festive cheer.

After a good while spent on the summit and with all our supplies gone (except for the Port, which seemed prudent - although tempting - not to polish off), we began our descent. We watched Matt and Em head off into the sunset towards Llanberis...

Then turned and followed our shadows back down to our side of the mountain, where the warmth of The Cottage fire awaited.